Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No apologies have been received and I propose we open the meeting. The purpose of the meeting today is for the joint committee to discuss the long-term strategy and plans for the future development of Irish ports. We are joined by representatives of the Port of Cork, Dublin Port, Shannon Foynes Port Company and Rosslare Europort. I am very pleased to welcome on behalf of the committee: Mr. Eoin McGettigan, CEO, Port of Cork; Mr Barry O'Connell, CEO, Mr. Michael Sheary, chief financial officer, CFO, and company secretary and Mr Cormac Kennedy, head of property, Dublin Port; Mr Pat Keating, CEO, Shannon Foynes Port Company; and Mr Glenn Carr, director, port authority, Rosslare Europort and Mr. Barry Kenny, media relations, Iarnród Éireann.

I will read out a quick note on privilege to both witnesses and members. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if witnesses' statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where he or she does not adhere to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask all members participating via Microsoft Teams that, prior to making their contributions to the meeting, they confirm they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus. If attending in the committee room, members are asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19.

I invite Mr McGettigan to make his opening statement on behalf of the Port of Cork. We have quite a number of opening statements, which are all very comprehensive, but I ask that the witnesses might try to slightly summarise or to stick within the five minutes each allocation in their contributions. We can publish the full speeches on the record.